Philosophical systems of Laozi, Zhuangzi, Yi Zhuan and Taiji Zhuan.
China's philosophy can be traced back to Xia and Shang Dynasties. China's philosophy really formed a theoretical system in the Warring States and even the Qin and Han Dynasties. Here, we briefly summarize the historical investigation of "Yin and Yang".
The forty-second chapter of Laozi says that "everything is negative and holds yang, and it is thought to be harmonious." Here, Laozi clearly pointed out that the "Yin-Yang" attribute exists in all things in the world, which is the earliest theoretical contribution of Taoism to the theory of Yin-Yang. This view has been further developed in Master Zhuangzi: "Yin and Yang are human beings, there is unconsciousness, there is invisibility, and all animals are ignorant. This is called the root. " Moreover, in observing the changes of nature and society, Taoism discovered the dialectical principle in the process of the movement and change of things: "Whether there is mutual growth, it is difficult to complement each other, and the length is different ..." (Chapter 2 of Laozi), and put forward the famous dialectical theory of "the movement against the Tao" (Chapter 40 of Laozi), which provided a solid dialectical cornerstone for the development of the theoretical system of Yin and Yang in the future. This is a great contribution of Taoism to the formation of Yin-Yang theory.
At the end of the Warring States period, Gou also raised the banner of the theory of Yin and Yang in his works. "Xunzi Book of Rites" said: "Heaven and earth combine to create everything, and Yin and Yang change and come into being." Affirm that the generation and change of all things are the result of the interaction of yin and yang between heaven and earth, and deny that ghosts and gods dominate all things. Xun Zi Tian Lun pointed out: "The stars are falling, the trees are singing, and all China people are afraid. Yue: What is it? Yue: Nothing. It is the change of heaven and earth, the change of yin and yang, and things are rare. This is strange, but it is not afraid. " Here, Xunzi pointed out that rare phenomena are also dominated by the laws of Yin and Yang, and strangeness is understandable, but superstition and fear are incorrect.
All the discussions about the category of Yin and Yang in Yi Zhuan originated from Taoism, and all the theories about the orientation of the five elements and the induction between man and nature originated from Yin and Yang. Looking at the Analects of Confucius and Mencius from the pre-Qin period to the Warring States period, there is no record of yin and yang and five elements, which is a powerful explanation. From the philosophical theory of Taiji Zhuan, we can find that many of its requirements, methods and application principles are inseparable from Taoist philosophy. For example, Laozi said, "Keep it if you want it ... If you want it, you must keep it." This method of understanding is embodied in the formula of Taiji Zhuan, which says that "if you want to go up, you will think", "If you want to go left first, you will go right first", "If you want to go ahead" and so on.
"Laozi" says: "With the softness of the world, the world is strong." Tai Ji Chuan's principle of attack and defense is "combining rigidity with softness", which requires "giving priority to weakness and giving up oneself to others" in concrete application.
In the classic philosophical theory of Taiji Zhuan, the idea that "Yin and Yang are unified and transformed" can be seen everywhere. "Taiji Zhuan" says, "People are flexible, but people are sticky", and "Yang does not leave Yin, Yin does not leave Yang, and Yin and Yang contribute to the economy, so they are knowledgeable". The above theory reflects the profound understanding and expansion of this aspect.
To sum up, through the study of historical materials, it can be proved that Tai Ji Chuan's philosophical theory originated from the simple understanding of Taoism and the methodology of reference in the pre-Qin period, which has reflected the rich connotation of China's traditional ideology and culture from beginning to end, and is full of the quaint characteristics of oriental culture and the wisdom of the Chinese nation. Because of this, Tai Ji Chuan is different from other traditional folk martial arts in simplicity (fitness and attack methods). The essential difference between the two is that Tai Ji Chuan, with his rich philosophy, guides the scientific exercise of human life, and his fitness effect and fighting art lead to completely opposite practices with other traditional folk martial arts. This is Tai Ji Chuan's unique principle of "attacking people from behind" and the scientific application of "softhearted".
Second, the Yin and Yang Family and Tai Ji Chuan in Taoist culture.
The philosophy of Yin-Yang family mainly expounds the origin of the universe, and is named after the concepts of "Yin" and "Yang". In China's philosophy, Yin and Yang are two laws of the formation of the universe. People all over the world believe that the connection and interaction of yin and yang have produced all phenomena in the universe.
The theory of yin and yang emphasizes the application of "five elements", and the earliest record is found in the book Hong Fan, "five elements, one water, two fires, three wood, four gold and five soil". Hong Fan also told people that the human world and nature are interrelated, and the evil deeds of the monarch will lead to the emergence of abnormal phenomena in nature. This concept has been developed into "the theory of heaven and man induction" by Yin and Yang scholars.
"The Book of Rites and the Moon Order" is also the work of Yin and Yang scholars. Generally, it tells the people what to do on a monthly basis in order to maintain harmony with natural forces. Among them, the structure of the universe is described according to the theory of Yin and Yang, and the expression is time and space. In other words, it is both a spatial structure and a temporal structure. For example, the Yin and Yang families coordinate the four seasons with the four directions, and summer coincides with the south, representing heat; Winter with the north means cold; Spring matches the east, and the east is the direction of sunrise; Autumn matches the west, and the west is the direction of sunset. Day and night are the epitome of the four seasons, so morning is spring, afternoon is summer, evening is autumn, and evening is winter. Yin and Yang theorists try to use this cosmology to explain natural phenomena from both time and space, and further believe that these phenomena are closely related to human behavior.
Yin and Yang scholars believe that the five elements have a certain order, and the order of the four seasons is the same as that of the five elements. Wood blooms in spring to make a fire. Fire is abundant in summer, and fire is born in soil; The central part is rich in soil and rich in gold; Gold is born in autumn, and gold is born in water; There is plenty of water in winter, aquatic wood. Thus, the five-element cycle is completed. According to Zou Yan's theory of Yin and Yang, the Huangdi Dynasty, which took earth as its virtue, was later ruled by the Xia Dynasty, which took wood as its virtue. Xia was ruled by the Shang Dynasty ruled by Jinde, and Shang was ruled by the Zhou Dynasty ruled by Huode. Zhou will be ruled by the dynasty ruled by Shuide, and the dynasty ruled by Shuide will be ruled by the dynasty ruled by Tude. Such a circumferential flow cycle. This inference was handed down in Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals. In the actual political society in the future, it has produced a strikingly similar effect to this inference. After Qin unified China, Guo changed the Yellow River to "water virtue". Not long after, the Han Dynasty was established, and it was officially announced that "Tude" ruled the world. Since then, the title of emperors has always been "Fengtian carrier". "Feng Tian Yun" refers to adhering to the principle of harmony between man and nature and inheriting the five virtues.
Taoist culture absorbs the philosophical achievements of many schools, and is used to explore the mysteries of man and nature, so as to explore the principles and methods to avoid or delay death, and even achieve the purpose of controlling and surpassing nature. In this sense, Taoist culture has the spirit and courage to conquer nature.
After the birth of Taoism, the idea and culture of cultivating immortals gradually evolved into a way to save the world after the end of the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, and the practice of taking the elixir to heaven to practice the external elixir has also undergone great changes after a painful lesson, and the theory of cultivating both internal and external elixirs has emerged. For example, "Cheng Chuan Lu Zhi Juan Yi Sheng Jin Dan" records: "However, if the inner Dan is not completed, the outer Dan will die. For example, hay is harmful. If it is put on the fire, it will burn everyone. "
From the end of the Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty, the theory of Inner Dan completely replaced the theory of Outer Dan, and the most important Taoist figures in history, Chen Tuan and Zhang Boduan, appeared. These two men each became the founders of a school with far-reaching influence. Among them, Chen Tuan, who has made great contributions in the contemporary era, is good at Yi-ology, Huang Lao-ology and Neidan-ology. He spread the dragon to real people and Zhang Sanfeng, which is known as the "Hidden Immortal School" in history.
According to Song Wenjian's volume 85, Yi Long Shu, its Preface to the Temple of Baixi Shu in Chen Tuan is a book of Yi Studies written by Chen Tuan. It is also recorded in the works of Song Dynasty, such as Hanshu Yi Jie, Tai Chi Picture Acceptance Test and Shu Hua Xu. Chen Tuan's Yi-ology thoughts and theories, infinite diagram, Taiji diagram, congenital diagram, etc. After the release of the seeds, Muxiu spread to Shao Yong and Zhou Dunyi, and made great contributions to the whole Song Dynasty.
Chen Tuan cultivated Neidan, making him famous for sleeping. According to the orientation of heaven and earth, the attribution of five elements, the interaction of yin and yang, and the operation of four seasons, Chen Tuan's Zhi Xuan Pian points out the corresponding parts of human organs, the opportunity of cultivation, the method of pranayama and the induction effect. His theory of Inner Dan was transmitted to Zhang Sanfeng by the real dragon. On this basis, Zhang Sanfeng, the founder, realized the Tai Ji Chuan method of combining internal strength with external boxing, and wrote works about Tai Ji Chuan's cultivation, such as Tai Ji Chuan's Theory of Gathering Qi and Taiji. For example, Zhang Sanfeng said in "Explaining the Martial Arts under Tai Chi": "... if you must persist, you will realize this sport, then you will understand it, and then you will be able to understand it. How can it be that a husband can dial a thousand pounds and his work is not as good as the realm? The so-called understand sticky luck, its audio-visual light spirit ear ... "
The theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements later became an important theoretical basis of the Inner Dan School in Taoist culture. Under the influence of the philosophy of Yin and Yang, the theory of Neidan absorbed the theory of "the induction between heaven and man" and "the generation of the universe", which opened up a new way to actively explore the principle of prolonging human life, and was finally used by the alchemist of Zhang Sanfeng, a "hidden fairy school", and realized the Tai Ji Chuan technique of the unified and harmonious operation of Neidan and Waiquan. It is closely related to the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements. In Tai Ji Chuan's theory of gathering spirit and gathering qi, it is said: "Qi gathers spirit and condenses, and then leads to the benefits of Tai Chi in motion and static, and the principle of restraint is kept in the eight diagrams and five elements, so that Tai Chi can be integrated, yin and yang can be combined, and motion and static can be combined ..." Guided by the theory of "the connection between man and nature", the classic exposition of Tai Chi Biography has made a proud contribution to the interpretation of meaning in human practice. Ceng Yun and Zhang Sanfeng: "Husband and nature are in harmony, while Tao is exclusive. Yin and Yang alternate, and everything is clear. Yin and Yang, ever-changing rules "; "The road to simplicity must be realistic from yin and yang"; "People's role, moving is static, static pole is moving, moving is linked, yin and yang are separated, just like Artest pool"; "Sucking to the bottom without washing the kidneys, telling it to go to the top without washing the heart ... coincides with Sunday's work and wins a year's wait".
To sum up, we can see that the philosophical system of Taiji Zhuan is not operated by Taoist philosophy alone, but also absorbs the theoretical essence of Yin and Yang philosophy, which is deeply related to the emergence and development of Taoist culture.
People-oriented, connecting with the whole nature of the universe, moving towards the deep connotation of human life science, combining with the concrete practice of human body, and conquering the general natural life process with the human body mechanism of prolonging human life under the premise of conforming to the laws of nature, is one of the goals that Tai Ji Chuan circles will strive to explore in the future.